Promise to fund scheme for gifted kids

Sue Bufton, Gifted Kids Rotorua lead teacher, said the Government needed to provide more funding for gifted children in New Zealand. Photo / File

Gifted children in Rotorua could stand to benefit from dedicated programmes as part of Labour's full education policy.

In a statement released yesterday education spokesman Chris Hipkins said Labour would restore a "ring-fenced fund" to support effective, dedicated programmes for gifted children outside their regular classrooms.

As well as this, Mr Hipkins said Labour would re-establish the Gifted Advisory Board and ensure teacher programmes for professional development in gifted education had sufficient funding.

Gifted and talented students are described by the Ministry of Education as having special learning, social and emotional needs which arise as a result of their exceptional abilities and qualities. Gifted Kids Rotorua lead teacher Sue Bufton said any financial support from the Government would be warmly welcomed.

"We struggle from one term to the next to stay open. We used to be a five-day unit but as our funding lessened our days decreased."

Thirteen primary schools around Rotorua assess potentially gifted pupils and send them to the Gifted Kids programme at Sunset Primary School once a week.

Ms Bufton said the programme had to source 80 per cent of its funding and the effort took away the focus on learning.